A 5-year-old girl tragically lost her life after being swept into the ocean at Laguna Beach, California. The incident occurred amid strong water conditions, according to officials.
The unfortunate event unfolded when the child was with her mother and sibling in the water. A powerful wave suddenly pulled them into the ocean. The site of this tragic event was near the Montage Resort, as observed by a lifeguard rescue boat on June 10, 2026.
On Thursday, during an early-morning aerial survey, Laguna Beach Marine Safety Department located the child’s body about 250 to 300 yards offshore from Christmas Cove. This location is roughly one-quarter mile north of Treasure Island Beach, where the wave hit the child, dragging her into the tumultuous surf.
Officers from Laguna Beach Marine Safety, with help from the Orange County Sheriff’s Department Harbor Patrol, recovered her body. The coroner from the Orange County Sheriff’s Department confirmed the child’s identity, and her family has been informed of the recovery.
Initially, the child’s mother and another sibling were also swept into the ocean. Fortunately, bystanders acted quickly, rescuing both. Despite their efforts, the second child couldn’t be located immediately. This prompted an extensive search operation.
The U.S. Coast Guard dedicated over 30 hours searching for the missing child, covering more than 90 square miles. However, they called off the search after the recovery.
On that Tuesday, Laguna Beach experienced heightened surf conditions, with swells reaching up to 9 feet. The National Weather Service issued warnings for beach hazards across Southern California, including high wave heights and dangerous rip currents.
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